The Fight of Faith

Luke 16:16 (NKJV)

Jesus speaking: “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.

The law and the prophets were taught until John.  Then, there was a shift to the  kingdom of God.

First, we've got to pray and seek the Lord to find out what He has given to us. After we've heard from God, then we have to go after it.

We must not want or take other people's possessions and relationships (Exodus 20:17).

We have to be aggressive in going after what God has given us.  Faith goes out and gets it.  Unbelief wants to do nothing.  We must not play it safe in fear.

I would rather fall flat on my face believing God than to be too chicken and weak to obey Him. 

Luke 11:8 (ESV)

Jesus speaking: I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs.

We must be bold, and we must take.  Once we know what God says it's ours.

This is a war between nations in ancient times. 

Joshua 17:14-15  (NKJV)

14 Then the children of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, “Why have you given us only one lot and one share to inherit, since we are a great people , inasmuch as the Lord has blessed us until now?”

15 So Joshua answered them, “If you are a great people, then go up to the forest country and clear a place for yourself there in the land of the Perizzites and the giants, since the mountains of Ephraim are too confined for you.”

If you want blessings, go after them.  Even if giants are encamped upon them. Believers are not beggars.  They didn't beg the giants to let them in.

Joshua 17:16-18  (NKJV)

16 But the children of Joseph said, “The mountain country is not enough for us; and all the Canaanites who dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, both those who are of Beth Shean and its towns and those who are of the Valley of Jezreel.”

17 And Joshua spoke to the house of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh—saying, “You are a great people and have great power (Joshua reminded them of their own words to bless them); you shall not have only one lot, 

18 but the mountain country shall be yours. Although it is wooded, you shall cut it down, and its farthest extent shall be yours; for you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots and are strong.”

You have all the ability you need to do God's will.  Quit whining about your problems. 

James 5:13 (NKJV)

13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.

If you've got problems, what are you going to do about it.  If you need help, you pray.  Aren't you commanded to pray for yourself?

If you can wash your clothes, would you ask someone else to do it for you?  You've got to pray yourself, and receive it for you. 

Joshua 18 (NKJV)

Now the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of meeting there. And the land was subdued before them. 

2 But there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes which had not yet received their inheritance.

Seven tribes had not yet taken their inheritance. Over half of the tribes still not taken their inheritance 45 years after they had left Egypt. 

Joshua 18:3 (NKJV)

3 Then Joshua said to the children of Israel: “How long will you neglect to go and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers has given you?

God will not do for you what you can do for yourself.  What are you waiting on?

Joshua 19:9 (NKJV)

9 The inheritance of the children of Simeon was included in the share of the children of Judah, for the share of the children of Judah was too much for them. Therefore the children of Simeon had their inheritance within the inheritance of that people.

Judah had taken more land than they could possibly handle.  They became a source of blessing for the tribe of Simeon.  

Acts 20:35 NKJV)

And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

Some of us have to take too much by faith to become a channel of blessings to others. By the grace of God, I will take too much!  Way too much for others! 

Only two adults, Joshua and Caleb, who escaped Egypt made it into the promise land.  Here is their story. Joshua was given a city that he built it up. 

Joshua 19:49-50  (NKJV)

49 When they had made an end of dividing the land as an inheritance according to their borders, the children of Israel gave an inheritance among them to Joshua the son of Nun. 

50 According to the word of the Lord they gave him the city which he asked for, Timnath Serah in the mountains of Ephraim; and he built the city and dwelt in it. 

Caleb captured a mountain filled with giants when he was 85 years old!

Joshua 14:6-13  (NKJV)

6 Then the children of Judah came to Joshua in Gilgal. And Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him: 

“You know the word which the Lord said to Moses the man of God concerning you and me in Kadesh Barnea. 

7 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy out the land, and I brought back word to him as it was in my heart. 

8 Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt, but I wholly followed the Lord my God. 

9 So Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land where your foot has trodden shall be your inheritance and your children’s forever, because you have wholly followed the Lord my God.’ 

10 And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the Lord spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old. 

11 As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. 

12 Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the Lord said.”

13 And Joshua blessed him, and gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as an inheritance.

We must rid ourselves of the passivity of unbelief.  It robs us of our possessions and blessings from God.  

We must labor to enter in and fight the good fight of faith.  

What about you?  What has God promised to you that have you've yet to take?

Keith Moore, Faith Life Church

https://flcmedia.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/FLCSarasota/MP4/2019/HD/190208Video.mp4